Wire and cable cutting and stripping apparatus using endless belt conveyors

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for processing wire to cut the wire into sections and to expose section wire ends, the wire having an inner core and sheathing about the core, the apparatus including structure for displacing the wire axially endwise comprising multiple blade structures, including at least two of the structures that move adjacent one another as the two structure move relatively oppositely toward and away from the axis in directions generally normal to the axis; each of the two structures having first and second cutting edges; the cutting edges configured such that, when the two the structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a primary mode, two of the cutting edges cut through the wire, and when the two structures are moved relatively longitudinally in a second mode, the remaining two of the cutting edges cut into the wire sheathing to enable stripping of the sheathing of the wire.

This application is a divisional of prior U.S. application Ser. No.09/320,096 filed May 26, 1999, which is a continuation of prior U.S.application Ser. No. 08/845,065 filed Apr. 21, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No.5,937,511, which is a continuation of prior U.S. Ser. No. 08/353,352filed Dec. 2, 1994, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,664,324, which is a continuationin part of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 08/022,981 filed Feb. 25,1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,485, which is a continuation in part ofprior U.S. application Ser. No. 07/857,972 filed Mar. 26, 1992, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,293,683, which is a divisional of prior U.S. application Ser.No. 07/765,986 filed Sep. 26, 1991 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,555 which isa continuation in part of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 07/659,557filed Feb. 22, 1991, abandoned, which is a continuation in part of priorU.S. application Ser. No. 07/611,057 filed Nov. 9, 1990 now U.S. Pat.No. 5,146,673 and a continuation in part of prior U.S. application Ser.No. 08/148,568 filed Nov. 8, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,469,763, which isa continuation in part of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 08/022,981filed Feb. 25, 1993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,485, which is a continuationin part of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 07/857,972 filed Mar. 26,1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,293,683, which is a divisional of prior U.S.application Ser. No. 07/765,986 filed Sep. 26, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No.5,253,555, which is a continuation in part of prior U.S. Ser. No.07/659,557 filed Feb. 22, 1991 now abandoned, which is a continuation inpart of prior U.S. application Ser. No. 07/611,057 filed Nov. 9, 1990now U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,673 incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to wire or cable severing, as well asstripping sheathing from severed wire sections; and more particularly,it concerns unusual advantages, method and apparatus to effect severingof a wire or cable into two sections, and stripping of sheathing offends of both sections, with minimal motions of severing and strippingelements and in minimum time.

There is continual need for equipment capable of severing wire or cableinto sections, and also capable of rapidly and efficiently strippingsheathing off ends of those sections. It is desirable that thesefunctions be carried out as a wire or cable travels along generally thesame axis, i.e., progresses forwardly, and that multiple wire and cablesections of selected length be produced, each having its opposite endsstripped of sheathing, to expose bare metal core wire at each end.Further, it is desirable that simple, radial and axial strippingadjustments be achieved upon multiple wire sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is a major object of the invention to provide apparatus and methodmeeting the above need. The word “wire” will be used to include cablewithin its scope, and vice versa.

Basically, the apparatus of the invention comprises improved bladestructures usable in apparatus for processing wire to cut the wire intosections and to expose section wire ends, the wire having an inner coreand sheathing about that core, the apparatus including means fordisplacing the wire axially endwise; in this environment the inventioncomprises the combination:

a) multiple blade structures, including at least two of the structuresthat move adjacent one another as the two structure move relativelyoppositely toward and away from the axis in directions generally normalto the axis,

b) each of the two structures having first and second cutting edges,

c) the cutting edges configured such that, when the two the structuresare moved relatively longitudinally in a primary mode, two of thecutting edges cut through the wire, and when the two structures aremoved relatively longitudinally in a second mode, the remaining two ofthe cutting edges cut into the wire sheathing to enable stripping of thesheathing of the wire.

In this regard, the cutting edges of each blade structure typically mayface one another in longitudinally spaced relation and be located atopposite sides of the wire axis, both blade structures being displacedlongitudinally, for example to sever the wire and also to stripsheathing from the wire.

It is another object to provide programmable means associated with theapparatus to provide programmable strip depth of the sheathing.

An additional object is to provide said two structures to define firstshoulders elongated longitudinally and forming a space between which theother of the two structures extends during relative movement; and alsoto provide second shoulders also elongated longitudinally and extendingin proximity with said first shoulders during said relative movement.

Yet another object is to provide blade structures that employ bladeplates having wire cutting edges, the blade plates extending in close,parallel, overlapping relation during their relative movement.Typically, the cutting edges on two of the overlapping plates includeV-shaped edge portions that overlap when the blade plates are moved insaid secondary mode during their relative movement.

A further object is to provide support means for the blade structuresfor holding the blade structures attached in fixed positions on thesupport means, the blade structures having shoulders engageable with thesupport means. Retainers may be associated with the support means forholding the blade structures attached in fixed positions on the supportmeans, and to allow release of the blade structures from the supportmeans, enabling their selective replacement.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following specification and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1a-1 f are diagrammatic views showing steps in the method of wireor cable processing;

FIG. 2 is a side view elevation showing wire displacing and processingapparatus;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view showing the apparatus of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an end view, taken in elevation, showing wire belt displacingdrive apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an elevation showing spring urging of wire drive belts;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross section taken in elevation to show sheathingstripping actuator structure;

FIG. 7 is a view like FIG. 6 but showing the blades in advancedpositions;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 mechanism;

FIG. 9 is an end view showing wire severing blades in wire severingposition, as in FIG. 1b;

FIG. 10 is an end view like FIG. 9 showing the sheathing strippingblades, in sheathing stripping position, as per FIG. 1d;

FIG. 10a is a view showing stripping blade edge penetration into wiresheathing;

FIG. 11 is a view like FIGS. 9 and 10 but showing all blades inretracted position, as in FIGS. 1a and 1 f;

FIG. 12 is an end view taken on lines 12—12 of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13a-13 d are diagrammatic views showing additional steps in themethod of wire or cable processing;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation showing cut insulation slug release andejection means;

FIG. 15 is a plan view on lines 15—15 of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is an end elevation taken on lines 16—16 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a schematic showing of slug pusher operation;

FIGS. 18a-18 f are perspective views showing steps in the method of wireprocessing;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational view like that of FIG. 2 showing wireconveying and processing apparatus;

FIG. 20 is an end view taken on lines 20—20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a section taken in elevation on lines 21—21 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a section taken in elevation on lines 22—22 of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 is a section taken on lines 23—23 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a section taken on lines 24—24 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a vertical section taken on lines 25—25 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 26 is a plan view, partly in section, taken on lines 26—26 of FIG.25;

FIG. 27 is an elevation taken on lines 27—27 of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged plan view, like that of FIG. 26, showing wireslug trap door and pusher elements in outwardly pivoted states;

FIG. 29 is an elevation taken on lines 29—29 of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged frontal elevation taken on lines 30—30 of FIG.25;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged vertical section taken on lines 31—31 of FIG. 30showing blade retention means;

FIG. 32 is a further enlarged section showing a portion of FIG. 31, witha blade retention means in released position;

FIG. 33 is a horizontal plan view taken in section on lines 33—33 ofFIG. 30;

FIG. 34 is a horizontal plan view taken in section on lines 34—34 ofFIG. 30;

FIGS. 35a-35 c are enlarged views showing actuation of wire slug trapdoor and pusher elements;

FIG. 36 is a section taken on lines 36—36 of FIG. 35a;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a wire guide element;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of a wire slug trap door element;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a wire slug pusher door element;

FIG. 40 is a side elevational view of a wire advancement detectionmeans;

FIG. 41 is an end view taken on lines 41—41 of FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a circuit diagram;

FIG. 43 is a view like FIG. 18(a) but showing a modification;

FIG. 44 is an elevation showing a wire sheathing slug removed from anexposed wire core end;

FIG. 45 is an elevation showing two blade structures that are movable inopposite directions to cut into a wire;

FIG. 46 is a view like FIG. 45 showing the two structures closedtogether in interfitting relation during wire cutting;

FIG. 46a is an enlarged view showing C-shaped cutting edges cuttingsheathing;

FIG. 46b is a section taken on lines 46 b—46 b of FIG. 46a;

FIG. 47 is an edge view of the overlapping blades of the two bladestructures seen in FIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a section taken on lines 48—48 of FIG. 45;

FIG. 49 is an exploded edge view showing a blade and its holder andrivets for interconnecting same;

FIG. 50 is a view like FIG. 45 showing a modification;

FIG. 51 is a view like FIG. 46 but depicting the modified bladestructures of FIG. 50 in closed together condition;

FIG. 52 is an elevation showing a further modified blade structure;

FIG. 53 is an edge view section taken on lines 53—53 of FIG. 52;

FIG. 54 is a diagrammatic view showing steps in the improved method ofwire or cable processing, in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 55 is a view like FIG. 25 showing wire conveying and processingapparatus as adapted to the improved blade structures of the presentinvention;

FIG. 56 is an elevation taken on lines 56—56 of FIG. 55, and correspondsgenerally to FIG. 30;

FIG. 57 is an elevation showing two overlapping and oppositely movableblade structures, in accordance with the present invention, and in openposition (blade cutting edges spaced from the wire, as in FIG. 54(b));

FIG. 58 is a section taken on lines 58—58 of FIG. 57;

FIG. 59 is like FIG. 57 but showing the blade structure in position tocut into wire or cable insulation, for stripping;

FIG. 60 is a section taken on lines 60—60 of FIG. 59;

FIG. 61 shows a blade load apparatus; and

FIG. 62 shows blades with variable cutting edges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BACKGROUND APPARATUS AND METHOD DISCLOSED INSer. NO. 08/022,981 AND Ser. NO. 08/148,568

Referring first to FIGS. 1a-1 f, they show in diagrammatic form thepositions of both wire severing and sheathing stripping blades, duringvarious steps in a wire processing procedure or method. In this regard,the “wire” 10 (meant to also refer to cable) has a metal core 11 a and atubular sheathing 11 b about the core. The wire is shown extendingaxially longitudinally in FIGS. 1a-1 f, the axis being located at 12.

First cutter means is provided to include, or may be considered toinclude, multiple blades. See for example the two wire-cutting blades 13a and 13 b of a first set, located or carried for movement laterallytoward and away from the wire axis 12. A first drive for controllablysimultaneously enabling or advancing the blades toward one another,laterally oppositely (see arrows 14 a and 14 b in FIG. 1b), is shown at15. That drive is also operable to retract the blades 13 a and 13 b awayfrom one another.

Second and third cutter means are also provided, for sheathingstripping, and each may be considered to include multiple blades locatedfor movement toward and away from the axis 12. See for example thesecond set of two blades 16 a and 16 b, and the third set of two blades17 a and 17 b.

Blades 16 a and 16 b are located, or considered to be, controllablysimultaneously displaced, as by drive 18, (or by separate or multipledrives) laterally oppositely, toward one another (see arrows 19 a and 19b in FIG. 1d), the drive also operable to retract the blades 16 a and 16b away from one another. Similarly, the blades 17 a and 17 b arelocated, or carried to be, controllably displaced simultaneouslylaterally oppositely toward one another (see arrows 20 a and 20 b inFIG. 1d), and drive 18 may be used for this purpose. Thus, blades 16 aand 16 b may be displaced toward one another at the same time and to thesame extent as blades 17 a and 17 b are displaced toward another, as isclear from FIG. 1d. The latter shows that the blades 16 a and 16 b, and17 a and 17 b, do not sever the wire but may closely approach the wire,while cutting into sheathing 11 for stripping purposes.

Brief reference to FIGS. 9-11 show the blades 16 a and 16 b to haveV-shape, as do wire severing blades 13 a and 13 b, and blades 17 a and17 b. Note edges 16 a′ and 16 a″, and 16 b′ and 16 b″ (of blades 16 aand 16 b) cutting into the sheathing in FIG. 10a to approach the wirecore from four sides, for efficient stripping, while leaving the coreuncut. Similar functioning of blade edges 17 a′ and 17 a″, and 17 b′ and17 b″, also takes place, as in FIG. 1d.

FIG. 1a shows displacement of the wire axially endwise andlongitudinally, as by a conveyor means 21 a to the first position asshown. FIG. 1b shows the step of severing the wire thereby to form wireforward and rearward sections 10 a and 10 b, the blades 13 a and 13 bbeing advanced laterally to accomplish complete severing at locus 22, asshown. Note that wire forward section 10 a has a rearward end portion 10aa; and the wire rearward section 10 b has a forward end portion 10 bb.

FIG. 1c shows the step of controllably separating the two sections 10 aand 10 b axially endwise oppositely, as to the positions shown, in whichthe end portions 10 aa and 10 bb are spaced from the closed-togetherblades 13 a and 13 b. Guides 24 and 25, provided between the blade sets,serve to accurately guide the wire and the sections 10 a and 10 b duringthe cutting and severing operation, as is clear from FIGS. 1a-1 f. Notethe tapered entrances 24 a and 25 a to the guides to receive and centerthe forwardly advanced wire.

Wire drives 21 a and 21 b are controllably operated to engage andseparate the two sections 10 a and 10 b, as indicated in FIGS. 1a and 1c.

FIG. 1d shows a sub-step included within the step of stripping sheathingfrom the forward section rearward portion and from the rearward sectionforward portion, thereby to expose wire ends at the portions. Note thatblades 16 a and 16 b are simultaneously advanced laterally oppositely,as to blade edge positions described above, as respects FIG. 10a, and asblades 17 a and 17 b are also simultaneously advanced laterallyoppositely (as to the same extent if such stripping is to be equal foreach wire section). Note that blades 13 a and 13 b now extend inlaterally overlapping condition, due to operation of drives 15 and 18 asone, i.e., equal rightward lateral displacement for blades 13 a, 16 aand 17 a, and equal leftward lateral displacement for blades 13 b, 16 band 17 b; however, they may be separately driven so as not to extend insuch relation, as shown. Blades 13 a, 16 a and 17 a may be connectedtogether to move rightwardly to equal extent; and blades 13 b, 16 b and17 b may also be connected together to move leftwardly as one, forextreme simplicity.

FIG. 1e shows operation of the wire drives to further endwise separatethe wire sections 10 a and 10 b so as to pull or strip two sheathing endportions 11 b′ and 11 b″ from the wire sections 10 a and 10 b, therebyto expose the wire core end portions 11 a′ and 11 a″. The strippedsheathing end portions 11 b′ and 11 b″, or slugs, are allowed to dropout from between the pairs of guides 24 and 25 which may be split, asshown, to provide slug drop-out openings, and may be movable tofacilitate such drop out.

FIG. 1f shows all blades laterally retracted and the wire rearwardsection 10 b fully advanced into position corresponding to FIG. 1aposition for controlled length endwise positioning to be processed, asin FIGS. 1b-1 e, to provide an exposed core end at its opposite end.Thus, controlled length wires (or cables), with exposed core lengths ateach end of each wire, is efficiently and rapidly and controllablyprovided. See master control 35 to control all the driving, asdescribed, and to be described.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-8, one form of apparatus to accomplish theabove operations (FIGS. 1a-1 f) is shown in detail. A frame is provided,as at 40-44 and 44 a, to mount two conveyors 45 and 46, which may beconsidered as included within the wire drives 30 and 31, as mentioned.Such conveyors may include two rearwardly positioned endless belts 47and 48, and two forwardly positioned endless belts 49 and 50. The beltsprovide stretches, as at 47′ and 48′, which are adapted to sidewiseflatly grip the wire 10 (and specifically the wire rearward section 10b) for endwise advancement and retraction, as during separation of thesections 10 a and 10 b in FIG. 1c; and stretches 49′ and 50′ are adaptedto sidewise grip the wire 10 (and specifically the wire forward section10 a) for endwise advancement and retraction.

The belts 47 and 48 are driven to advance or retract the wire section 10a, as from a drive motor 52 (see FIG. 4). The output shaft 53 of themotor drives belt 54, as via a pulley 55, and belt 54 drives shafts 56and 57. Shaft 56 drives another shaft 58, through gearing 59 and 60, todrive shaft 58 and upper conveyor belt 47 clockwise; whereas, lowershaft 57 and lower belt 48 are driven counterclockwise in FIG. 2. Thisdrives the wire forwardly; whereas, when motor 52 is reversed, the wireis driven rearwardly. Additional axles or shafts for the conveyor belts47 and 48 appear at 58 a and 57 a.

FIG. 2 shows conveyor rotors 60 and 61, and 62 and 63. These carry thebelts 47 and 48. Axles 58 a and 57 a are driven by drive belts 64 and 65extending between pulleys on the shafts 58 and 58 a, and 57 and 57 a, asshown. Accordingly, when the belt stretches 47′ and 48′ are closedagainst opposite sides of the wire 10, and the motor 52 is operating,the wire is displaced endwise.

Means is provided to move the conveyor belt stretches 47′ and 48′ towardone another to clutch the wire, and away from one another to de-clutchthe wire. See for example in FIGS. 3-5 the motor or drive 66 carried bya frame part 67, to rotate a vertical screw shaft 68, as via motoroutput shaft 69, pulley 70, belt 71, and pulley 72 on the screw shaft68. The screw shaft has screw thread engagement at 73 and 74 with framemembers 75 and 76. Frame member 76 supports the ends of shafts 58 and 58a, via member extension 76 a, as at 58′ and 58 a′; whereas, frame member75 supports the ends of shafts 57 and 57 a, via member extension 75 a,as at 57′ and 57 a′. Screw threading interfit at 74 is oppositely“handed” relative to threading interfit at 73, so that, when shaft 68 isrotated in one direction about its axis, the frame members 75 and 76 aredisplaced toward one another, whereby conveyor stretches 47′ and 48′ mayclamp the wire; and when the shaft 68 is rotated in the oppositedirection about its axis, the members 75 and 76 are displaced away fromeach other, and the wire is de-clutched.

The bearing supports at 78 and 79 for shafts 58 and 57 are made looseenough to accommodate such up/down movement of those shafts at theconveyor belt drive locations. Note also couplings at 110 and 111.

Tension springs 90 and 91 are provided (see FIG. 5) between fixed framestructure 92 and shoulders 76 a′ on 76 a, to yieldably urge thestructures 76 and 76 a, and the belt stretch 47′ downwardly; andsimilarly, tension springs 93 and 94 are provided between fixed framestructure 95 and shoulder 75 a′ on 75 to yieldably urge the structure 75and 75 a, and the belt stretch 48′, upwardly. This provides clearance“take-up” for better control of wire gripping or clamping.

The forward conveyor unit 46 embodies conveyor belt drive and up/downmovement, the same as described in connection with unit 45 in FIGS. 3-5.The drive motor 52 a, for driving the belt stretches 49′ and 50′forwardly and reversely, is seen in FIG. 3, as is the motor 66 a tocontrol belt clamping of the forward wire section. Mechanism between themotors 52 a and 66 a, and the respective forward conveyor belts 49 and50, is the same as above described mechanism between motors 52 and 66,and the respective rearward conveyor 47 and 48; however, the motors 52and 51 a are typically operated simultaneously, either to drive the wireor wire sections forwardly, as in FIGS. 1a and 1 f, or to drive the wiresections endwise oppositely, as in FIGS. 1c and 1 e. A master control tocontrol all drives, in a pre-programmed manner, is seen at 125.

Referring to FIG. 11, the wire severing blades 13 a and 13 b are fullylaterally retracted, as are the wire sheathing stripping blades 16 a and16 b. Blades 17 a and 17 b are in axial alignment with blades 16 a and16 b and are not shown. Note V-angled blade edges 13 a′ and 13 a″, andblade edges 13 b′ and 13 b″.

The blades 13 a, 16 a and 17 a at one side of the wire 10 areinterconnected by axially extending carrier rod 80; and the blades 13 b,16 b and 17 b at the opposite ends of the wire are interconnected byaxially extending carrier rod 81, laterally spaced from rod 80. Rods 80and 81 are relatively movable laterally toward one another to effectwire severing, as by blades 13 a and 13 b (see FIG. 9 and also FIG. 1b).Rods 80 and 81 are further laterally movable toward one another toeffect penetration of the blade edges 16 a′ and 16 a″, and 16 b′ and 16b″, into the sheathing (as in FIGS. 10 and 10a), and as also seen inFIG. 1d. Thereafter, the wire forward and rearward sections 10 a and 10b are separated, as in FIG. 1e, to endwise strip the slugs 10 aa and 10bb off the wire cores, as also seen in FIG. 11. Dropping of the slug isalso seen in FIG. 11, as is lowering of a wire guide lower sector B ofguide 11 bb″, to release the slug. The upper guide sector is shown at A.A drive 130 is operable to lower and raise sector B.

Means to effect the described lateral movement of the blade carrier rods80 and 81 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6-8. As seen, a laterally extendinglead screw 90 is rotatable by a drive motor 91, carried by frame part83. See connecting shaft 93. As screw 90 rotates in one direction aboutits axis 90 a, nuts 94 and 95 on the screw threads travel axiallyoppositely (see arrows 96 and 97) to move rod 80 to the right and rod 81to the left, as in FIGS. 9 and 10. See connectors 98 and 99 connectingnut 94 with rod 81, and connectors 100 and 101 connecting nut 95 withrod 80.

A pair of parallel lead screws 90 may be utilized for these purposes, asseen in FIG. 8, each driven by the motor 91, with one lead screwassociated with blades 16 a and 16 b, and the other associated withblades 17 a and 17 b. Balanced force transmission to the two sets ofblades is thereby effected. See also frame elements 110-116 supportingthe structure, as indicated. Bearings appear at 117 and 118. Anadditional tubular wire guide is seen at 119.

Referring now to FIGS. 13a-13 b, the elements which correspond to thosein FIGS. 1a)-1 f) bear the same numerals. FIG. 13a corresponds to FIG.1c; and FIG. 13b corresponds to FIG. 1e. In FIG. 13b, prior to the timethe blades 16 a, 16 b, 17 a, and 17 b penetrate into the sheathing 11 b,the wire sections 10 a and 10 b are displaced, endwise axiallyoppositely, to controlled extent, as by drives 21 a and 21 b, undercomputer control, so as to control such displacement. See for examplethe displacements d₁. This in effect controls the length l₁ and l₂ ofslugs of insulation 11 b′ and 11 b″, as between slug ends 11 c′ and 11c″, and 11 d′ and 11 d″, ends 11 c″ and 11 d″ being adjacent,respectively, the cutters 16 a and 16 b, and 17 a and 17 b, whichpenetrate and cut the insulation.

Thereafter, the blades 16 a and 16 b, and 17 a and 17 b, penetrate intothe sheathing; and wire sections 10 a and 10 b are displaced axiallyendwise oppositely (see arrows 200 and 201), to controlled extents h₁and h₂, as by the computer-controlled drives 21 a and 21 b, torelatively displace the insulation slugs to positions shown in FIGS.13b, 13 c, and 13 d, wherein the slugs protectively overhang the cutends 11 aa and 11 bb of wire core. This protects against fraying of endsof wire clustered strands, as seen at 11 c in FIGS. 13b-13 d. The bladesare then retracted, to leave the wire sections and slugs, as seen inFIG. 13c, the final product being seen in FIG. 13d. Note the exposedwire core extents 11 f and 11 g between the opposite end insulationslugs 11 b′ and 11 b″, the main extent 11 j of insulation. The slugs areheld in position on the core by friction, and may be pulled off at timeof wire use.

In the above, the cutters can be oriented to move horizontally, orvertically, or in other directions.

In FIGS. 14-16, the blade arrangements and operations are the same as inFIGS. 1a-1 f, and 13 a and 13 b, the blades moving vertically. Note inthis regard the blade actuators 180 and 181, carrying rods 80 and 81 seein FIGS. 9-12. Such actuators are also seen in FIGS. 3 and 8. Drives forthe actuators are schematically indicated at 15′ in FIG. 16. Wire 10passing endwise through the blade region is guided by guides 124 and125, corresponding to guides 24 and 25 in FIGS. 1a-1 f. As in FIG. 11, apart of each guide is movable away from a slug of insulation formed byclosing of the blades, as described above.

In this embodiment, the two guides have parts 124 a and 125 a that areswingable away from the wire axis (see the broken line position 124 a′of guide part 124 a in FIG. 14 for example). Guide parts that do notmove away from the wire are indicated at 124 b and 125 b. A pin 127pivotally attaches each part 124 a and 125 a to frame structure 128.

A reciprocating drive swings the part 124 a to position 124 a′ and back,under the control of master control 35. That drive, for example,includes a motor 130, and linkage means, including interconnected links131-134, operatively connected between the motor shaft 135″ and the part124 a. A corresponding motor 130 a and links 131 a-134 a are connectedto part 125 a to pivot same. Guide parts 124 a and 125 a have concavearcuate wire guide surfaces, as at 124 aa.

Also provided is a pusher and drive therefor for displacing the pusherto bodily push against the side of the severed length of sheathing(slug) for ejecting same in operative conjunction with moving (pivoting)of the part 124 a. See for example the reciprocating plunger 135, andits drive, connected to the same drive as used to pivot the part 124 a.

In FIG. 14, the plunger 135 is connected to the linkage 133 and 132. Seealso FIG. 17 showing plunger 135 connected at 132 a to link 132. Thenose 135′ of the plunger is shown pushing the wire slug 10 aa to theleft. A similar pusher is operated in conjunction with pivoting of wireguide part 125 a. A wire guide opening appears at 140 in FIG. 14. Motors130 and 130 a operate in one direction (rotate 180°), and then operatein reverse (−180°), to drive the pushers and swingable guide parts.

Referring now to FIGS. 18a-18 f, they correspond generally andrespectively to FIGS. 1a-1 f, insofar as successive blade positions insevering the wire 210 and stripping insulation therefrom are concerned.Thus, first cutter means includes the two wire-cutting blades 213 a and213 b of a first set, located or carried for movement laterally towardand away from the wire axis 212. Second cutter means includes blades 216a and 216 b located for movement toward and away from axis 212, forstripping sheathing from the wire at one axial side of blades 213 a and213 b; the third cutter means includes blades 217 a and 217 b movabletoward and away from axis 212, for stripping sheathing from the wire atthe opposite axial side of blades 213 a an 213 b.

Blades 216 a and 216 b, and blades 217 a and 217 b, do not sever thewire, but closely approach the wire while cutting into sheathing 211,for stripping purposes. See FIGS. 18d and 18 e. A drive 218 is connectedat 218 a to blades 213 a, 216 a, and 217 a, to move them laterally andsimultaneously toward and away from the wire; and a drive 219 isconnected at 219 a to blades 213 b, 216 b, and 217 b, to move themlaterally and simultaneously toward and away from the wire.

The blades are shown as thin, flat, steel sheets, formed to havedovetailed tongue ends at 213 a ₁, 216 a ₁, 217 a ₁, and at 213 b ₁, 216b ₁, and 217 b ₁. Such dovetailed ends are receivable in and gripped bydovetailed groove holders schematically indicated at 229 and 230,assuring ease of replacement of the blades, while also assuring positivegripping of the blades and their proper alignment.

Such holders 229 and 230 may be considered as parts of the drives 218 aand 219 a, respectively. The blades themselves have V-shaped cuttingedges arranged in pairs in opposed relation. Thus, blades 213 a and 213b have opposed V-shaped edges at 213 a ₂ and 213 b ₂, which sidewardlyslidably overlap completely during wire severing (see FIG. 18b); blades216 a and 216 b have opposed V-shaped edges at 216 a ₂ and 216 b ₂,which sidewardly slidably overlap to limited extent during sheathingstripping (see FIGS. 18d and 18 e); and blades 217 a and 217 b haveopposed V-shaped edges at 217 a ₂ and 217 b ₂, which sidewardly overlapto limited extent during sheathing stripping (see FIGS. 18d and 18 e).Such opposed V-shapes of the cutting edges assure complete severing ofthe sheathing.

FIG. 18a shows wire 11 axially endwise advancement of the wire to firstposition. FIG. 18b shows the step of severing the wire, thereby to formwire forward and rearward sections 210 a and 210 b, the blades 213 a and213 b being advanced laterally toward the wire, from opposite sides, toaccomplish severing.

Note that wire forward section 210 a has a rearward end portion 210 aa;the wire rearward section 210 b has a forward end portion 210 bb.

FIG. 18c shows the step of controllably separating the two sections 210a and 210 b axially endwise oppositely, as to the positions shown, inwhich the end portions 210 aa and 210 bb are spaced from theclose-together blades 213 a and 213 b. Guides provided between the bladesets serve to accurately guide the wire and the sections 210 a and 210 bduring the cutting and severing operation. Such guides are seen forexample in 524 and 525 in FIGS. 34, 35 a, 35 b, 35 c, 37, 38, and 39.Note the tapered entrances 524 a and 525 a to the guides to receive andcenter the forwardly advanced wire.

Wire drives, schematically indicated at 230 and 231, are controllablyoperated to axially advance and separate the two wire sections 210 a and210 b, as indicated in FIGS. 18a and 18 c.

FIG. 18d shows a sub-step included within the step of strippingsheathing from the forward section rearward portion and from therearward section forward portion, thereby to expose wire ends at theportions. Note that blades 216 a and 216 b are simultaneously advancedlaterally oppositely, as blades 217 a and 217 b are also simultaneouslyadvanced laterally oppositely (and to the same extent if such strippingis to be equal for each wire section).

Note that blades 213 a and 213 b now extend in laterally overlappingcondition, due to operation of blade drives 218 and 219 as one, i.e.,equal downward lateral displacement for blades 213 a, 216 b, and 217 b,and equal upward lateral displacement for blades 213 b, 216 b, and 217b; however, they may be separately driven so as not to extend in suchrelation, as shown. Blades 213 a, 216 a, and 217 a may be connectedtogether to move downwardly to equal extent; and blades 213 b, 216 b,and 217 b are connected together to move upwardly as one, for extremesimplicity.

FIG. 18e shows operation of the wire drives 230 and 231, to furtherendwise separate the wire section 210 a and 210 b, so as to pull orstrip two sheathing end portions 210 a′ and 210 b′ from the wiresections 210 a and 210 b, thereby to expose the wire core end portions211 a′ and 211 b′. The stripped sheathing end portions or slugs 210 a′and 210 b′ are rejected, as will be seen, from between the pairs ofguides 524 and 525, which may be shaped to provide for slug sidewardde-confinement and ejection, as will be described further.

FIG. 18f shows all blades laterally retracted and the wire rearwardsection 210 b fully advanced into position corresponding to FIG. 1aposition, for controlled length, endwise positioning to be processed, asin FIGS. 18b-18 e, to provide an exposed core end at its opposite end.Thus, controlled length wires (or cables), with exposed core lengths ateach end of each wire, are efficiently and rapidly, and controllablyprovided. See master control 325 to control all the drives, asdescribed, and to be described.

Referring to FIGS. 19-25, apparatus to perform the operations describedas respects FIGS. 18a-18 f is shown in detail. A frame is provided as at240-244 and 244 a, to mount conveyors, as represented by roller groups245 and 246. These may be regarded as included within the wire drives230 and 231, as mentioned. Such conveyors may include two rearwardlypositioned endless belts 247 and 248; and two forwardly positionedendless belts 249 and 250. The belts 247 and 248 provide stretches, asat 247′ and 248′, which are adapted to sidewise flatly grip the wire orcable 210 (and specifically section 210 b) for endwise advancement andretraction, as during separation of the wire sections 210 a and 210 b inFIG. 18c. Likewise, stretches 249′ and 250′, provided by belts 249 and250, are adapted to sidewise grip the wire or cable 210 (andspecifically the forward wire section 210 a) for endwise advancement andretraction.

Belts 249 and 250 are driven to advance or retract the wire section210a, as from a drive motor 252 (see FIG. 20). The output shaft 253 ofthe motor drives belt 254, as via a sprocket 255, and belt 254 drivesshaft 256. Sprocket 255 also drives a belt 254 a, which drives a shaft257 via a pulley 257 a. Shaft 256 drives another shaft 258, as viaangular reversing gearing 259 and 260, in order to drive shaft 258,shaft 258′, and upper conveyor belt 249 counterclockwise; whereas, lowershaft 257, shaft 257′, and lower conveyor belt 250, are drivenclockwise, in FIG. 19. The conveyor belts drive the wire endwise in oneaxial direction; whereas, when the motor 252 is reversed, the wire isdriven endwise in the opposite axial direction.

FIG. 22 shows additional coupling 410 between offset shafts 258 and258′, and coupling 411 between offset shafts 257 and 257′. Suchcouplings include the timing belts 412 and 413, and timing gears 414 and415, and 416 and 417, as shown. Shafts 257 and 258 are typically notpivotable (to swing bodily); whereas, shafts 257′ and 258′ may pivot, ineffect, as their support plates 418 and 419 are moved up and down aslead screw 268 rotates. See the horizontal lost-motion, connection-type,bearing supports 418′ and 419′ for those shafts in FIG. 22. This allowsthe conveyor belt stretches 249′ and 250′ to be flatly and adjustablyengaged and disengaged with the wire or cable 210, as seen in FIG. 22.See also FIG. 21.

FIG. 19 also shows conveyor rotors 260 and 261, and 262 and 263. Thesecarry the belts 249 and 250. Axle 258″ for rotor 261 is suitably drivenby axle 258′, as via a belt and pulleys; and axle 257″ is suitablydriven by axle 257′, as via a belt and pulleys (see in FIG. 2 drivebelts 14 and 15, etc.). Accordingly, when the belt stretches 249′ and250′ are closed against the opposite sides of the wire 210 b, and themotor 252 is operating, the wire is displaced endwise. Similar drivesfor conveyors 247 and 248 are provided, as shown.

Means is provided to move the conveyor belt stretches 249′ and 250′relatively toward one another to clutch the wire, and away from oneanother to de-clutch the wire. See for example in FIGS. 19-21 the motoror drive 266 carried by a frame part 241 to rotate a vertical lead screwshaft 268, as via motor output shaft 269, sprocket 270, timing belt 271,and sprocket 272 on shaft 268. The screw shaft has screw threadengagement at 273 and 274, with nut members 275 and 276 associatedrelatively with plates 418 and 419.

Plate 418 supports the end of shaft 258′, for up and down movement; andplate 419 supports the end of shaft 257′ for up and down movement.Support of such shaft ends is via the lost-motion connections describedabove at 418′ and 419′. Screw threaded connection to the nut 275 isoppositely “handed” relative to threaded connection to nut 276, so that,when shaft 268 is rotated in one direction about its axis, the nuts 275and 276, and plates 418 and 419 (and shafts 257′ and 258′) are yieldablydisplaced toward one another, whereby conveyor stretches 249′ and 250′may clamp the wire; and when the shaft 268 is rotated in the oppositedirection about its axis, the nuts and plates are yieldably displacedaway from one another, and the wire is de-clutched. Nuts 275 and 276 areconfined in vertical slots 275′ and 276′ in plates 418 and 419, allowingrelative movement between the nuts and plates.

Compression springs 290 and 291 are provided (see FIGS. 22) between thenuts and the supports 418 and 419 to yieldably urge the supports 418 and419 toward one another, in response to lead screw 268 rotation in onedirection, to provide clearance “take-up” for better control of wiregripping, especially for smaller diameter wires. Those springs engageshoulders 418 a and 419 a, as shown. Additional compression springs 290a and 291 a are provided between the nuts and shoulder 418 b and 419 bto yieldably urge the plates and shafts apart as the lead screw rotatesin the opposite angular direction. Similar structures are associatedwith the conveyors 247 and 248, and bearing the same identifyingnumbers.

The rearward conveyor unit 245 embodies conveyor belt drive, and up/downmovement, the same as described in connection with unit 246 in FIGS.19-22. The drive motor 252 a (not shown) for driving the belt stretches247′ and 248′ forwardly and reversely is similar to motor 252, andcorresponds to motor 66 in FIG. 2. The motor to control belt clamping ofthe wire is seen at 266 a in FIG. 19. Mechanism operation between suchrearward motors and the respective belts 247 and 248 is the same asmechanism between motors 266 and 252, the belts 249 and 250. The forwardand rearward belt motors 252 and 252 a are typically operatedsimultaneously, either to drive the wire or wire sections forwardly, asin FIGS. 18a and 18 f, or to drive the wire sections endwise oppositely,as in FIGS. 18c and 18 e. A master control to control all drives in apredetermined manner is seen at 325 in FIG. 18a.

In FIGS. 25, 30, and 31, blades 213 a, 216 a, and 217 a at the upperside of the wire are interconnected, as by the laterally extending bladeholder 280; and the blades 213 b, 216 b, and 217 b at the lower side ofthe wire are interconnected by laterally extending blade holder 281,vertically spaced from holder 280. Those holders are vertically movabletoward one another to effect wire severing, as by V edges of blades 213a and 213 b. Those holders are further movable toward one another toeffect penetration into the sheathing of the edges of blades 216 a, 216b, and 217 a and 217 b. Thereafter, the wire forward and rearwardsections 210 b and 210 a are separated, axially, as in FIGS. 18e, toendwise strip the insulation tubular slugs off the wire cores, a typicalslug 210 aa being ejected, as in FIG. 35c. That view also shows droppingof the ejected slug, away from the mechanism.

Means to effect the described lateral movement of the blade holders 280and 281 is shown in FIGS. 19, 25, and 30. As seen, a vertical lead screw290 is rotatable by a drive motor 291, carried by drive structure 292a-292 c. Screw 290 bearings are indicated at 290 a. Belt and pulleyelements 501-503 connect motor 291 to the screw. As screw 290 rotates inone direction about its axis, nuts 294 and 295 on the screw threadstravel axially oppositely along the screw to move blade holder 280 downand holder 281 upwardly. See sliding blocks 298 and 299 connectingholder 280 with nut 294, and holder 281 with nut 295. Block bearings 298a and 299 a slide along guide rods 310, carried by frame structure 292 aand 292 c.

In FIGS. 31-33, the blade holder 280 is held in interengagement at 311with the block 298 by a clamp 312, which engages the front side of theholder at 313. A fastener 314 attaches the clamp to the block 298.Dovetailed tongue end 216 a′ of blade 216 a has one angled edge surface216 a ₁, engaged with correspondingly dovetailed surface 280 a ₁, forretention. A retainer in the form of a shaft 420 has an interior flatsurface 420 a rotatable into corresponding engagement with theoppositely angled surface 216 a ₂′ of the blade, thereby to retain andlocate the blade, vertically. Set screws 420 a keep shaft 420 fromrotating.

FIGS. 31 and 33 also show the dovetailed portions of three bladesfitting in position, as in vertical slots 415-417, defined by a bladeclamp bar or bars 419. Screws 426 attach bar or bars 419 to blade holder280. Magnets 427, carried by the block 298, are positioned tomagnetically attract vertical edge portions of the blades (as at 216 din FIG. 31), to keep the three blades positioned as they are initiallyreceived in slots 415-417, and prior to rotation of shaft 420, asdescribed, into FIG. 31 position, to positively hold the blade. Shaft420 has end extents 420 c and 420 d carried in bearing openings 431 and432 in holder 280 parts 280 f and 280 g. See also manually rotatablehandle 433 of shaft 420. Reverse rotation of shaft 420 allows quick,manual, frontward reversal, and replacement of the blades.

Referring now to FIGS. 26-29, 34, 35 a-35 c, and 36, structure is shownthat serves to guide the wire during its axial movement relative to theblades, and to facilitate removal of a severed slug or slugs orinsulation or sheathing material.

In FIG. 34, wire passing in horizontal direction 500 through the bladeregion is guided by two guides generally indicated at 524 and 525. Apart of each guide is movable away from a slug of insulation formed byclosing of the blades, and wire retraction, as described above. Asshown, the two guides have parts 524 a and 525 a that are swingablelaterally and upwardly, away from the wire axis, as better seen in FIG.35c.

Guide part 524 a is pivotally connected at 550 to blade holder 280, toswing about horizontal axis 550 a extending parallel to the direction ofwire advancement. Part 524 a may be considered as a trap door, in thesense that when swung to FIGS. 35c and 35 a positions, it has swung awayfrom the side of the wire slug, leaving the slug free for ejection. Part524 a forms a semi-circular guide surface 524 a′ that guides the wire210 when the part 524 a is in closed position, as seen in FIG. 35b. Part525 a of guide 525 has construction and operation the same as describedfor part 524 a.

The guides 524 and 525 also incorporate parts 524 b and 525 b which actas pushers, to bodily push against the sides of the severed lengths(slugs) of sheathing, for ejecting same laterally, in cooperativeconjunction with pivoting movement of parts 524 a and 525 a, asdescribed. Thus, part 524 b is pivotally connected at 553 to bladeholder 280, to swing about horizontal axis 553 a, extending parallel tothe direction of wire advancement.

Part 524 b may be considered as a pusher or ejector, in the sense that,as seen in FIG. 35c, it bodily ejects or displaces the wire slug 211 b′laterally and downwardly, positively and assuredly away from themechanism, immediately after the trap door part 524 a opens (swings tothe position seen in FIG. 35c). Part 524 b has a semi-circular guidesurface 524 b′ that guides the wire 210 when parts 524 a and 524 b arein closed positions, as seen in FIG. 35b.

Part 525 b of guide 525 has a construction and operation the same asdescribed for part 524 a. Parts 525 a and 524 b lie between blades 216 aand 216 b, and blades 213 a and 213 b; and parts 525 a and 525 b liebetween blades 213 a and 213 b, and blades 217 a and 217 b, as is seenfrom FIG. 34.

The trap door parts 524 a and 524 b, and pusher parts 524 b and 525 b,have associated reciprocating drives, to open and close them in timedrelation, as described. See for example in FIGS. 35a-35 a the links 556and 557, respectively, pivotally connected with parts 524 a and 524 b,as at 556 a and 557 a, the links passing through guide openings 558 and559 in the blade holder structure.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show link 556 driven by a motor 560, as via crank arm561 connected to the motor shaft 560 a, link 562 extending from 561 to aslider 563, and that slider also connected to link 557. Frame part 565carries the motor. Link 557 is also driven by motor 560, as via crankarm 561, link 558 extending away from 561 to a slider 559′, and thatslider connected to link 557. Guide posts for the sliders appear at 563a and 559 a. See also FIG. 29.

FIG. 34 shows corresponding actuating link 556′ for the trap door part524 a, and link 557′ for the pusher part 524 b, these operated in thesame way as links 556 and 557.

Finally, a sensor is provided to sense arrival of the wire endwise inproximity to the trap door parts and to the pusher elements, asdescribed. See sensor 569 in FIG. 19.

FIGS. 34 and 40 show a tapered, tubular guide 570 at which the advancingwire end arrives after traversing the blade region.

In FIG. 40, the sensor takes the form of a very lightweight, swingabledoor 571 extending across the wire path, and hinged at 572 to swingforwardly upwardly in response to engagement by the traveling wire 210 bforward end 210 b′. Such swinging movement is sensed, as by an opticalsensor. The latter typically includes a light beam (electromagneticwave) source 574 producing a beam sensed at 575, such sensing occurringfor example when the beam is interrupted by door swinging. This servesto notify the operator that the wire end has arrived at the sensorposition, i.e., the wire has traversed the blade zone. For example, thesensor at 575 in FIG. 42 may control drive 325, so as to stop theadvancement of the wire conveyors 249 and 250. See circuit connections576 and 577. An alternate position for the door is shown at 571′, incloser proximity to the conveyor means 249 and 250.

Referring now to FIGS. 43-48, the multiple blade structures shown areadapted to use in apparatus of the type described above for processingwire to cut the wire into sections and to strip sheathing from thesections to expose section wire ends, the apparatus including conveyormeans for displacing the wire axially endwise.

As shown, upper and lower supports are provided at 600 and 601 forsupporting multiple blade structures. The latter includes at least twoof such structures, seen at 602 and 603, that mutually interfit as theyare moved (by supports 600 and 601 for example) relatively oppositelytoward and away from the axis 604 defined by the wire or cable 605 to becut, in directions generally normal to that axis. See arrows 606 and607.

Referring also to FIG. 45, at least one of the structures (603 forexample) defines first shoulders 608 a and 609 a on ribs 608 and 609,respectively, such shoulders being elongated in directions 606 and 607,and being laterally spaced and opposed, to form intermediate space 610between which the other of the two structures (601 for example) or aportion thereof extends or relatively moves or slides, as during suchrelative movement. Shoulders 608 a and 609 a may, in this regard, act asguide shoulders on blade-strengthening ribs 608 and 609; such structuresalso enhancing correct positioning for gripping and cutting of the cableby the upper structure (see FIG. 45), correct alignment of the bladestructures normal to axis 604, correct closing of the blade structures,as seen in FIG. 46, gripping by lower support structure 601, as well asproviding other benefits.

Gripping occurs at dovetail shoulders 610 and 611 on base portion 612 ofthe structure 603, of a thickness the same as that of ribs 608 and 609,and thicker than reduced thickness of the reduced blade plate 613 of603, supported and stiffened by 608, 609, and 612. See also edge 614 ofblade plate 603 which has portions 614 a and 614 b extending oppositelyfrom a C-shape, medial or bridging cutting edge 614 c that receives onehalf the wire metallic core 616 (see FIG. 44) without cutting into it,as during insulation stripping. Thus edge 614 c cuts one half theinsulation or sheathing 636. Elements 610, 608, 609, and 612 may beintegral or of one piece (if metal).

The other or second blade structure (602 for example) defines secondshoulders 617 a and 618 a on ribs 617 and 618, such shoulders also beingelongated in directions 606 and 607, and being laterally spaced andopposed to align ribs 617 and 618 with ribs 608 and 609, respectively,during relative structure movement. See aligned ribs in FIG. 46 at timeof blade structure maximum closing, shoulder 617 a aligning withshoulder 608 a, and shoulder 618 a aligning with shoulder 609 a.

The ribs 617 and 618 are provided on a blade holder 620, which is partof 602 and is downwardly U-shaped, as shown, there being a base 621integral with 617 and 618. An upper blade plate 622 is riveted at 623and 624 to the flat section 625 of the holder, section 625 beingintegral with 617, 618, and 621, i.e., 622 fits between 617 a and 618 a.Thus, the upper blade plate is stiffened and strengthened by holder 620,to provide support for the downwardly extending legs 622 a and 622 b of622 that fit closely between and are guided by rib shoulders 608 a and609 a on 603, during closing together of the two blade structures, asseen in FIG. 46.

Upwardly tapering wire guide edges 630 and 631 are provided on the twolegs, and they terminate at a C-shaped medial or bridging cutting edge632 that closes toward corresponding edge 614 c to form a circular oroval-shaped opening to receive the uncut wire core during sheathingcutting and stripping. Edge 632 cuts through the remaining one half ofthe sheathing. See FIGS. 46a and 46 b. That oval opening is of minimumdiameter greater than wire core diameter, to allow slippage of the corethrough that opening as during stripping, to remove the sheathing slug,seen at 636 a in FIG. 44, off the wire core.

Note that during closing together of the blade plates, they extend inside-by-side interfitting and overlapping relation, as in FIGS. 46 and46b; however, the C-shaped edges 614 c and 632 are directly opposed, asare their tapered cutting edge bodies 680 and 681, whereby the end facesof the cut sheathing sections are pushed equally, endwise. Base 621 ofthe holder is thickened and forms dovetailed grip shoulders 650 and 651,with advantages as described above the shoulders 610 and 611.

In the modification seen in FIG. 50, the second shoulders are defined byopposite edges 640 and 641 of the legs 642 and 643 of upper blade plate644; and shoulders 640 and 641 fit or slide adjacent rib shoulders 608 aand 609 a on the lower blade structure 603′. Tapered wire guide edges642 a and 643 a are formed on legs 642 and 643, and urges the wiretoward cutting position, as seen in FIG. 51. The upper blade structure602′ also includes strengthening holder 647 riveted at 648 to the upperblade plate 644, and forming dovetailed retention grip shoulders oredges 654 and 655, with the advantages of shoulders 650 and 651described above. Gripping of the dovetailed shoulders, in support 600and 601, proceeds as described in FIGS. 31-33 above.

Retainers 670 and 671 in FIG. 43 correspond to retainer 420 in FIGS.31-33. Handles 673 and 674 enable rotation of 670 and 671 to quicklygrip and release the blade structures. Set screws 680 and 681 areadjustable to lock the rotary retainers in position.

FIG. 52 shows a further modification of an upper blade structure, withC-shaped edge 660 in a medial slot 660 a, and above tapered wire guideedges 661 and 662 on the upper blade structure plate 663, otherwisesimilar to 641.

In FIG. 43, a medial blade set 690 includes upper and lower blades 691and 692 to cut completely through the wire when the supports are closedtoward one another in the manner seen in FIG. 18e or in FIG. 10.

Accordingly, the apparatus provides a first set of multiple of the bladestructures at one side of the axis, and a second set of multiple of theblade structures at the opposite side of the axis, the retainer meansincluding a first retainer carried by the support means at one side ofthe axis for rotary advancement to hold the multiple blade structures ofthe first set in the fixed position, and for rotary retractions to allowrelease of the blade structures of the first set.

Also, the retainer means includes a second retainer carried by thesupport means at the opposite side of the axis for rotary advancement tohold the multiple blade structures of the second set in the fixedposition and for rotary retention to allow release of the multiple bladestructures of the second set. The multiple blade structure of each setincludes two or three of the pairs of blade structures, and typicallytwo, as seen in FIG. 43, with an additional wire severing blade pairintermediate the two stripping pairs of blade structures, as shown.

IMPROVEMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In FIGS. 55 and 56, elements corresponding to those disclosed above inFIGS. 25 and 30, as well as the other figures, are given the samenumbers as previously employed. Drive elements 290 and 290 a are coupledtogether at 500 and oppositely screw threaded as shown to drive theblade holders 280 and 281 endwise oppositely, i.e., toward one anotherand away from one another, depending upon the direction of rotation of290 and 290 a. Elements 501 and 502 on 290 and 290 a engage holders 280and 281 at surface interengagement loci 503 and 504, to guide holders280 and 281 accurately, as they travel endwise oppositely.

Multiple blade structures are provided, including at least two suchstructures 507 and 508 that mutually move adjacent one another (as forexample slidably interfit at plane 506) and such two structures moverelatively oppositely, toward and away from the axis 515 of the wire orcable 580 being processed. Blade structure cutting edges are indicatedat 509 and 510 on structure 507, and at 511 and 512 on structure 508.

FIG. 54a shows the blade structures 507 and 508 in “open” position,i.e., with all cutting edges spaced from the wire 580 being processed;FIG. 54(b) shows the blade structures 507 and 508 moved in directions520 and 521 into wire cutting positions with cutting edges 510 and 511overlapping at opposite sides of axis 515; and FIG. 54(c) shows theblade structures 507 and 508 moved in directions 522 and 523 into wirestripping positions, with cutting edges 509 and 512 partiallypenetrating the wire or cable, i.e., to cut into the wire insulation 580a sufficiently to strip the insulation from wire core 580 b when thewire is moved endwise, as described, in detail above. Note in thisregard that each of the structures extend at opposite sides of the wireaxis; that only two such structures 507 and 508 are employed, eachdefining a single plane; that the two structure planes extend inparallel relation; that the structures remain in sidewardly overlappingrelation during their movements, as is clear from FIG. 54; that cuttingblade 510 is on one structure 507, and cutting blade 511 is on the otherstructure 508; and that stripping blade 509 is on the one structure 507and stripping blade 512 is on the other structure 508. Consequently, theblade structures and their functioning are very simple, i.e., muchsimpler than in FIGS. 1-53, since only two moving blade structures areneeded.

Accordingly, the invention is characterized in that

b) each of the two structures has first and second cutting edges,

c) the cutting edges are configured such that, when the two thestructures are moved relatively longitudinally in a primary mode, two ofthe cutting edges cut through the wire, and when the two structures aremoved relatively longitudinally in a second mode, the remaining two ofthe cutting edges cut into the wire sheathing to enable stripping of thesheathing of the wire. stripping may be completed by relatively axialmovement of the wire or cable, as referred to earlier.

Programming means to operate the drive 291, or multiple drives, and themeans to drive the wire endwise, as previously described, is indicatedat 530 in FIG. 55.

FIGS. 57-59 show the blade structures to include separate blade plates507 a and 507 b, 508 a and 508 b, the plates 507 a and 507 b carried byframe-type holder 280; and plates 508 a and 508 b carried by frame-typeholder 281. Each separate blade plate has a V-shaped cutting edge,making it much easier to grind that edge than if there were twooppositely facing cutting edges on a one-piece blade structure (i.e., ifplates 507 a and 507 b were integral, for example).

Blades 507 a and 507 b have endwise interengagement at lateral locusline 535 seen in FIGS. 57 and 59; and plates 508 a and 508 b haveendwise interengagement at lateral locus line 536, as seen in FIGS. 58and 59. Plate 507 a longitudinal edges shown at 560 and 561 in FIG. 57engage holder 280 frame edges 562 and 563, to locate them laterally;plate 508 a longitudinal edges corresponding to 560 and 561 engageholder 281 from edges corresponding to 562 and 563; plate 507 blongitudinal edges shown at 560′ and 561′ also engage holder 280 fromedges 562′ and 563′; plate 508 b longitudinal edges corresponding to 562and 563 engage holder 281 from edges corresponding to 562′ and 563′; andplate lateral edges at 564 and 565 engage holder frame lateral edges at566 and 567. Frame edges 563 and 563′ are on a frame part 583 that islaterally removable in direction 568, to enable easy retrieval andreplacement of any one or more of the four plates 507 a, 507 b, 508 a,and 508 b.

Accordingly, the invention provides:

a) blade pair means including two blade structures each extending atopposite sides of the wire travel path,

b) one or more drive means,

c) and other means operatively connected between the drive means and theblade structures, and responsive to operation of the drive means tocause one blade structure to be displaced in direction A toward the wiretravel path as the other blade structure is displaced in direction −A,to process the wire, and subsequently to cause one blade structure to bedisplaced in direction −A, as the other blade structure is displaced indirection A, to process the wire.

Similarly, the method of processing wire in accordance with theinvention includes the steps:

a) providing blade pair means including two blade structures eachextending at opposite sides of the wire travel path,

b) providing drive means, and other means operatively connected betweenthe drive means and the blade structure,

c) and operating the one or more drive means to cause one bladestructure to be displaced in direction A toward the path as the otherblade structure is displaced in direction −A, to process the wire, andsubsequently to cause one blade structure to be displaced in direction−A, as the other blade structure is displaced in direction A, to processthe wire.

In FIG. 61, a loader means 600 receives a pair of blades, such as blades508 a and 508 b, stacked at 603, with guide edges 601 and 602, to engageand guide blade outer edges, as the blades are advanced leftwardly.

A pusher 604 is shown as having a plunger 604 a to push blade edges 508d and 508 e, to advance the blades into the holder 281 referred toabove, i.e., into space 606 in that holder.

In FIG. 62, two blade structures 610 and 611, with blades 610 a and 610b, and 611 a and 611 b, correspond to structures 508 and 507, withblades 508 a and 508 b, and 507 a and 507 b, respectively, as referredto above. First and second cutting edges 610 aa and 610 bb of structure610 have different configurations; and first and second cutting edges611 aa and 611 bb of other structure 611 have different configurations.However, the first cutting edge 610 aa and second cutting edge 611 bbhave the same, or substantially the same, configuration; and the secondcutting edge 610 bb and first cutting edge 611 aa also have the same orsubstantially the same configurations. For example, edges 610 aa and 610bb have C-shape C₁; and the edges 610 bb and 611 aa have C-shape C₂,wherein C₁ is larger than C₂.

Structure 610 and 611 are adjacent one another in operation. Thus, when610 is moved down and 611 is moved up, edges 610 aa and 611 bb can severa wire, if such movement is great enough; or they can penetrate into andstrip insulation off a first wire or cable of diameter D₁; and when 610is moved up and 611 is moved down, edges 610 bb and 611 cc can penetrateinto and strip insulation off a second wire or cable of diameter D₂; andfirst and second insulation D₁ and D₂ can be on the same wire.

Since blades are characterized as “die type” blades, useful forstripping coaxial cables, and the loader described above, enables theirquick replacement with blades of other cutting edge sizes. Very longstrip lengths are enabled, for full removal of long strips. Soft wirecontrol at 700 allows quick selection and loading of different blades.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for processing wire having a wire coreand a sheathing to sever the wire into sections and to cut the sheathingand strip it from the sections adjacent to their severed ends,comprising, a) a support structure; b) first and second pairs of endlessbelt conveyors mounted on said structure and axially spaced from eachother; c) said belt conveyors in each pair comprising endless beltshaving parallel portions which grip opposite sides of the wire; d) atleast one electrical conveyor drive motor connected to one of said beltconveyors in each pair selectively energizable to drive the associatedbelt conveyor in at least one direction; e) multiple blades movablysupported by said structure for movement between one or more openpositions in which the blades are separated from the wire, a wiresevering position in which at least a pair of said blades severs thewire, and a sheathing cutting position in which at least a pair of saidblades cuts the sheathing but not the wire core; f) at least one bladeactuator connected to said blades and selectively energizable torelatively move said blades between their open, wire severing, andsheathing cutting positions; and g) an electrical controller connectedto said at least one conveyor drive motor and to said at least one bladeactuator to operate them in a controlled sequence to sever the wire intotwo sections, and to cut the sheathing at locations spaced from sectionsevered ends, and to cause said first and second pairs of endless beltconveyors to displace said two sections so as to strip the sheathingfrom the two sections adjacent to their severed ends.